1976
The American sculptor Alexander Calder is known as the father of the mobile, a moving artwork composed of delicately balanced sculptural forms suspended from the ceiling.
Because Calder's parents, both artists themselves, did not want him to suffer the hardships of trying to make a living in art, they encouraged the young Calder to study mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, in Hoboken, New Jersey. He worked a number of jobs, including as a hydraulic engineer and draftsman for the New York Edison Company, before deciding to pursue an artistic career. He never abandoned his engineering background, however, applying his understanding of gears and moving parts in all his artworks, from mechanical toys like the Cirque Calder (1931) and his revered prints to his free-standing abstract sculptures, called stabiles.
In 1926, Calder moved to Paris and established a studio in the Montparnasse quarter. He began creating the many parts of his famous miniature circus from found materials, such as wire, string, cloth, rubber and cork. Designed to be transportable, Cirque grew to fill five suitcases over the years. Always interested in putting forms in motion, Calder also pioneered a new art form called wire sculptures, which he described as “drawings in space.” Like his famous mobiles, the wire sculptures were suspended so that they turned with any movement of the air, presenting different forms when viewed from different angles.
In the 1950s, Calder returned to his roots in mechanical engineering, creating monumental abstract sculptures that verged on the architectural. He worked from loose gestural drawings like this preparatory sketch for his Man Stabile, from 1966. Throughout his career, he also worked as a set designer for the theater, as well as an illustrator and printmaker, producing vibrant, whimsical drawings for books and journals.
Find original Alexander Calder art today on 1stDibs.
$15,400
H 43.5 in W 36.25 in D 1.5 in
Girandola Color Lithograph Print, Abstract, Signed, 1970s, Ed. 23/100
By Alexander Calder
Located in Naples, Florida
Color lithograph on paper Edition 23 of 100 Signed and numbered in pencil Publisher: Studio Marconi, Milan Reference: Studio Marconi, International Graphic Works, 2...
Paper, Lithograph
$19,500
H 25.75 in W 38.25 in
Environment and Evolution Print, American Modern, 1970s, Excellent
By Alexander Calder
Located in New York, NY
Calder’s use of curvilinear forms and asymmetrical balance mimics the natural, evolving movement of a snail, underscoring his fascination with motion and transformation. ‘Escargot’ e...
Color, Lithograph
Alexander Calder Lithograph, 1975, Derriere le Miroir #221
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Derriere le Miroir #221 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #221 Medium: Lithograph in colors Date: 1975 Edition: Unnumbered Sheet Size: 15" x 22" Image Siz...
Lithograph
$2,500
H 22 in W 30 in
Bold Abstract Circles Color Lithograph Alexander Calder Unfinished Revolution
By Alexander Calder
Located in Surfside, FL
1975 Color Lithograph by Alexander Calder from Our Unfinished Revolution portfolio One of 250 copies, with the printed signature and date on offset paper. This is not pencil signed ...
Lithograph, Offset
$350
H 18.25 in W 14.25 in D 1 in
Alexander Calder 'Spirales' Lithograph, 1974, Vintage
By Alexander Calder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This first release lithograph titled Spirales by Alexander Calder is a captivating piece of art that showcases Calder's signature style of bold, swirling forms. The lithograph is pla...
Lithograph
Untitled By Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Dubai, Dubai
Untitled By Alexander Calder Alexander Calder was a pioneering American sculptor known for his innovative mobiles and stabiles, which challenged traditional notions of sculpture b...
Lithograph
$5,546
H 33.08 in W 22.29 in
Alexander Calder (1898–1976) - Spirale millepiedi - color lithograph on paper
By Alexander Calder
Located in Varese, IT
Color lithograph on paper, edited in 1972 Limited edition in 100 copies Signed in pencil by artist in lower right corner, numbered in lower left corner Paper size: 84 x 56,6 cm Very...
Paper, Lithograph
$545
H 21.25 in W 17.25 in
Alexander Calder Abstract Lithograph, Unsigned, 1963, Derriere le Miroir #141
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Plate 1 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #141 (Stabiles) Medium: Lithograph Year: 1963 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" ...
Lithograph
$545
H 21.25 in W 17.25 in
Alexander Calder Lithograph, Modern Style, 1968, Plate 6, Derriere le Miroir 173
By Alexander Calder
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Alexander Calder Title: Plate 6 Portfolio: Derriere le Miroir #173 Medium: Lithograph Date: 1968 Edition: Unnumbered Frame Size: 21 1/4" x 17 1/4" Sheet Size: 15" x 11" Image...
Lithograph
$500
H 35 in W 21.5 in
Exhibition at Brewster Gallery, Lithograph Poster after Alexander Calder
By Alexander Calder
Located in Long Island City, NY
After Alexander Calder, American (1898 - 1976) - Exhibition at Brewster Gallery. Year: circa 1975, Medium: Lithograph Poster, Size: 35 in. x 21.5 in. (88.9 cm x 54.61 cm)
Lithograph
1970s Alexander Calder poster (Calder Braniff Airlines 1976)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Braniff Airlines poster 1976: Medium: Offset lithograph. Dimensions: 23 x 33 inches. Signed in plate An original 1st printing in very good overall vintage conditio...
Offset
Alexander Calder Stabiles lithograph 1963 (Calder derrière le miroir)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Vintage 1960s Alexander Calder Stabiles lithograph from Derrière le Miroir. 15 x 22 inches. Center fold-line as issued; very good overall condition for its age. Unsigned from an ed...
Lithograph
Alexander Calder lithograph Derrière le miroir (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1971 from Derrière le miroir: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; well-preseved. Unsigned from an edition of un...
Lithograph
Alexander Calder lithograph derrière le miroir (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1967: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 22 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; contains center fold-line as originally issued; well-preseved. Unsig...
Lithograph
1970s Alexander Calder lithograph (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
1970s Alexander Calder Lithograph from Derriere le Miroir: Medium: Lithograph in colors. 1975. Dimensions: 15 x 22 inches. Center fold-line as issued; v...
Lithograph
Alexander Calder lithograph 1970s (Calder prints)
By Alexander Calder
Located in NEW YORK, NY
Alexander Calder Lithograph c. 1973 from Derrière le miroir: Lithograph in colors; 15 x 11 inches. Very good overall vintage condition; well-preseved. Unsigned from an edition of un...
Lithograph
There are no sparkling gemstones on this necklace, but its value far exceeds the cost of its materials.
Get your dose of Vitamin D while surveying works by the likes of Alexander Calder, Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso.
